Strep test for me, and and PKU test for newborn? - Page 2

[Kiki Runs]

Whoa, calm down! I never said that YOU were bullying or using scare tactics. I said I wished more health care providers would be upfront instead of doing those things.

I am more concerned with the trend of treating every single GBS+ mama with antibiotics than I am with the slim chance of my newborn developing a GBS infection. I say again, unless you meet risk factors, IMO, there is a greater chance of damage from the abx than from GBS.

Yes, you did state the reasons why YOU chose procedures. Just as I stated my wish for honest, upfront health care.

Kinsey

[laurata]

Kinsey, I believe that the sugar water is supposed to cause a release of endorphins or similar that helps relax babes. Gosh, I wish I could remember more of the specifics, but alas, I don't. Maybe someone else will post more info.

[Kiki Runs]

Huh. I haven't ever heard of that, Laura. I know when I had DS, the nurses really tried to push sugar water on him (for the test) saying that it wouldn't be accurate unless he "ate", but I just refused it, knowing that he would be eating breastmilk soon enough.

I wonder if it would work for adults, too, lol.

Kinsey

[obnurse]

We dont feed infant sugar water at the time of PKU test. How could you? They are usually crying and I would think they would be choking and sputtering if you tried to feed them duing the blood taking. We usually have them use a paci (if mom is using one) or let them suck on moms fingers. Also the test is more accurate if done at least 24 hours from the first feeding, BFing counts!!!
Of course, the test is most accurate in 4-5 days, but most everyone is discharged from the hospital by then, and some babies don't make it to the pedi for appts. PKU causes a loss if 5 IQ points a month if untreated. If undiagnosed for a year, this could mean the difference between a normally functioning individual, and severe mental retardation that was preventable.

[wednesday]

I didn't have the GBS test, only because I went into labor at 37 weeks exactly, two days prior to when I was scheduled for the test. I gave birth at a birth center and the MWs were not hugely concerned. They did not offer antibiotics or give me the test then--just told me to watch DS closely for any signs of infection for two weeks and to take his temp twice per day. Next time I will decline the test as I don't cope well at all with IVs (I pass out) and it would be better for me to not be in a position of being pressured to have one.

As for PKU, isn't there some way they could make that less traumatic for the babies? We had the PKU test done on his fourth day, he had been eating some already at that point. I feel it's an important test because it can prevent such serious consequences. But it took two nurses numerous heel sticks to get enough blood from DS, even though we warmed his foot for ten minutes first, and by the end of it I was sobbing as hard as he was. It was just awful.

[stafl]

Originally Posted by Victorian

Question for those of you that transported (or planned what would have if you needed too). When you say that they hospital would automatically do antibiotics - you could refuse them right? I don't think that they can force you do them. (not being grumpy, just wondering if they can)

The way it was explained to me, was that in cases of potential life-and-death situation, you aren't given an option in the matter.
I also just didn't want to have to fight hospital protocol, since I was going for a homebirth-vbac, and if I were transferred it would be in the direst of circumstances already.

[ericaz]

what are the risk factors for a GBS??

[Aura_Kitten]

erica, do you mean the risk factors for the test, or the risk factors for an infant to contract GBS?

[ericaz]

sorry i wasn't more specific, klothos.

i meant risk factors for the baby. i can't remember what my midwife said - i know she told me that since i didn't do the test i would need to take prophylactic antibiotics if....was it if my water broke first?? or was it if i went two weeks past my due date??? i totally can't remember but know that she made it clear that there was very little chance my baby would pick it up if i was positive unless this scenario happened - and then the risk increased somewhat.

[Kiki Runs]

Some of the risk factors (I thought these have already been mentioned, but I'm too lazy to go back and look :LOL) are:

- prolonged rupture of membranes (I think I've seen 18 hours)
- fever in mother during labor
- birth before 37 weeks gestation (double check on this one - I'm not sure about it)

Now I'm not 100% sure on these (and there may be others), so you should definitely do more research.

As far as the prophylactic abx, I'm not sure what going over your due date would have to do with GBS. Maybe it was the "premature rupture of membranes". I'd definitely ask her again, and ask her to be very clear about when/why and what your rights are as far as declining the abx.

Kinsey

[KatSG]

[QUOTE=obnurse]We dont feed infant sugar water at the time of PKU test. How could you? They are usually crying and I would think they would be choking and sputtering if you tried to feed them duing the blood taking. QUOTE]

They gave it to her about a half-hour before the test. She slept through the procedure, sucking on my pinky. Had I known the powers of breastfeeding through a procedure like this, I would have done it. She didn't make a peep. It was the second time, without the sugar water, that was horrible.

So funny. I never would have expected anyone to think this was a "bad" thing to do given the results. The only negative side effect is that she wouldn't breastfeed for a few hours, and the nurse kept trying to wake her up (it was 1 AM!) so she would eat. If I'd just kicked the nurse out I could have gotten some sleep that night!